Can-opener



(No Model.)

J. SAMPLE.

v GAN OPENER.

N0..34'7,067. Patented Aug. 10, 1886.

UNITED STATES PATENT Orrica.

JOH1\ SAMPLE, OF NORVOOD, MASSACHUSETTS.

CAN-OPENER.

BPECIPICAI'ION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,067, dated August 10, 1886.

7 Application filed May 25, 1886. Serial No. 203,213. {No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN SAMPLE, of Norwood, county of Norfolk, and State of Masses chusetts, have invented an Improvement in Gan-Openers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

Prior to my invention-a canopener consisting of a two-edged blade has been provided with a rigid projecting shoulder, upon which the implement was turned as afulcrum, saidshoulder having an engaging edge formed by the two sides of the shoulder at right angles with relation to each other; but such construction has been found objectionable be- 'side of the arm bears upon the material at one side of the slit being cut, the said shouL der having a beveled edge to bite into the top of the can, and thereby positively prevent the implement from slipping or otherwise moving back when operated. Both edges of the blade, which are preferably curved, are preferably sharpened, and also both edges of the projecting shoulder.

Figure 1 shows in side elevation a canopener embodying this invention, the same being shown in operative position in connection with the top portion of a can; and Fig. 2 an edge view of the blade and its feeding device.

The blade a, preferably sharpened upon both edges and curved to follow the contour of an ordinary can, is secured to any suitable handle, I). An arm, a, composed of a fiat strip of metal, preferably rectangular in cross section, is pivoted to the shank of the blade at by a suitable pin, said arm having one of its ends bent at right angles to form a shoulder, 0'. Each edge of the shoulder c is beveled, as at 0 As the curved blade is forced through the top of the can and tipped backward in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1, the under side of the pivoted arm bears upon the material at one side of the slit, and the beveled portion of the shoulder followed by the, sharp edge thereof will bite into the can-top and positively prevent the blade slipping or otherwise moving backward while serving as a fulcrum upon which the implement is turned. The under side of the arm, being flat, prevents the edge of the metal formed by cutting from bending upward or tearing, so that asmooth edge shall be left to better enable the implement to feed forward.

By curving the blade as shown, a curved slit may be cut very close to the edge of the can, while if the blade was made straight, the point would cut into the inside of the side of the can.

In instances where a'shoulder having a squared edge is used, or one having an edge formed by the sides of the shouldermeeting at right angles with relation to each other, the shoulder does not get a firm bearing or bite soon enough, nor hold the bite long enough to prevent the implement slipping as it is moved upon the said shoulder as a fulcrum; but by the construction herein described, the sharp edge of the shoulder serves as a fulcrum, firmly biting into the can-top, and preventing the implement slipping as the blade cuts the top of the can upward from beneath.

It is obvious that the shoulder having beveled edges, as described, may beuigidly attached to the shank of the blade, in which case the shoulder would be beveled upon its under side, so that the beveled portion would first serve as a bearing, and afterward the sharp edge would firmly bite into the top of the can.

I claim- As anew article of manufacture, a can open er consisting of a blade and suitable handle therefor, the pivoted arm 0, having a shoulder projecting at right angles from one end of the said arm, said shoulder having a beveled edge, as at c", all substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WVitnesses: JOHN SAMPLE.

BERNIQEJ. NoYEs, F. CUTTER. 

